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Cloud computing is expected to be a key driver for corporate IT investments during the next decade, reaching an anticipated global market of $241 billion by 2020. "The cloud infrastructure, particularly through providers such as RackSpace, Google and Amazon, is allowing more companies to engage in a lower-cost form of outsourcing," says Jeff Andrews of Houston's Thompson & Knight. Andrews, who focuses his practice on structuring and negotiating outsourcing agreements, notes a key difference in cloud-based options compared to traditional IT outsourcing. "The cloud computing function is much like a utility or a commodity product. But where traditional IT outsourcings can offer customized solutions, such as unique data safeguarding, public cloud offerings typically don't offer these options. Companies with distinct operational or regulatory requirements need to do their homework when contracting and carefully assess whether the cloud-based providers can and will comply with those demands." For more information, contact Barry Pound at 800-559-4534 or barry@androvett.com.